Christmas At Gaylord Palms Kissimmee, FL!

Here in Florida we don’t have a lot of chances to freeze our hands off, so the Christmas at Gaylord Palms event is one my entire family looks forward to each and every year. The best part about the event is absolutely Ice! and this year the theme is Frosty the Snowman. It was a perfect fit for the unique show. Before that however we sat and watched Luminescence which is a live show with music, dancing and even some aerial work. It was a great night that we’ll look forward to again next year.

Luminescence really surprised me because I didn’t expect to see so much happen on one small stage. There are a handful of singers that have really stylish costumes who come out and rock your socks with voice work. Then there is a band who would probably be thrilled to play all night, they are highly talented playing Tran Siberian Orchestra style music, the drummer even goes up into the sky. But it’s the extras that stand out. First we see a ballerina who turns into an aerialist going up into the air on a hoop. Later she comes back but with a man and together they do aerial work with long scarves. It was highly impressive and I recommend you check it out. Shows are usually twice a night around 6:45 and one at 8:45. They last about half an hour. They are free.

Of course we must talk about Ice! whose theme this year is Frosty the Snowman. It is one of the best themes they have ever used and the ice sculptures are perfect inside the frozen tundra. It’s a nippy 9 degrees inside the Ice! room and not only will your nose get cold, but your camera or other battery operated device might tucker out as well. Hold those items as close to your body heat as possible. No worries about the rest of you though, as you are given a parka before you walk inside.

Every step you take and corner you turn plays out a new Frosty the Snowman scene that you’ll immediately remember from childhood. The Frosty melting scene actually had me tearing up. The colors dyed into the ice are perfect and when you find out how hard it is to do that you’ll be proud of the Chinese ice artisans. Yes they are Chinese and hail from Harbin Northeast China. They come here to Kissimmee to prepare and maintain Ice! for us each year.

Are those slides I see inside the Ice! exhibit? Why yes they are, and on further investigation, they are made of ice! This is always the most fun part of Ice! because children and adults alike will climb the stairs and take a plunge down the frozen slide. Sit right on your parka and you will go flying, sit wrong and it’s a long way down scoot scoot scooting.

There are so many other things to do at Christmas At Gaylord Palms and this is only two of them. I recommend you enjoy the winter wonderland as soon as possible and make it a Gaylord Palms Christmas vacation package. The Gaylord Palms is a beautiful hotel that would invite you to stay with open arms.